After a cancellation two years ago and a reduced edition of “En Dag an der Natur” last year, the big family festival in the green heart of the City of Esch could take place normally again yesterday.

Even grey skies and intermittent light rain did not deter visitors to the festival at the Ellergronn Nature Conservation Centre, which is also the headquarters of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere, from visiting the numerous workshops and information stands.

The way from the car park to the nature conservation centre could be comfortably covered in a horse-drawn carriage and visitors could enjoy themselves to their heart’s content on the grounds of the nature administration. More than 30 stands had found their way to the Ellergronn. From Fairtrade and the Escher Geméisguart to the climate puzzle and wood burning and bread baking workshops.

 

Opening of the new permanent exhibition at the Nature Conservation Centre

In addition to the activities for young and old, yesterday morning also saw the inauguration of the Nature Conservation Centre’s new permanent exhibition. In the presence of the Deputy Director of the Nature and Forest Administration (ANF), Frank Wolff, and the Minister for Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, Joëlle Welfring, the first part of the exhibition focusing on the Anthropocene was inaugurated.

The exhibition uses large display panels that fill the walls of the old Cockerill Mine repair hall to the rafters to present facts, figures and graphics on climate change, resource depletion and other human interventions in our planet’s ecosystems.

 

The second part of the exhibition, which will be on display on the first floor of the hall from autumn onwards, will deal with concrete actions to protect nature, natural resources and the preservation or restoration of threatened biotopes.

Days in Nature a resounding success

The Days in Nature of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere came to an end yesterday with a big family party in Ellergronn. They started last Wednesday with a workshop for employees from about 10 companies. On Friday, more than 100 pupils from the 11 member municipalities of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere were welcomed and had the opportunity to get to know the unique nature of the biosphere reserve in 8 different workshops. After the great enthusiasm on all 3 days, there will certainly be no obstacle to a new edition of the Days in Nature next June.